Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 92

Scene: Buck and Eddie’s Bedroom

Buck quietly left Christopher’s room, taking a moment to compose himself as he closed the door gently behind him. His heart was full, but the weight of the conversation with Christopher lingered in his chest. He walked down the hallway toward the bedroom, the soft hum of the apartment’s silence calming his nerves. As he entered the room, he saw Eddie sitting against the headboard, a book in his hands, though it was clear Eddie hadn’t turned a page in a while. Concern was written all over his face.

When Buck walked in, Eddie immediately looked up, setting the book on his lap. His eyes searched Buck’s face, the worry still there, though now mixed with curiosity and hope.

Eddie (softly, almost hesitant): "How’d it go?"

Buck moved toward the bed, feeling the heaviness of the evening begin to settle in his bones. He sat down on his side of the bed, his shoulders slumping slightly as the emotional weight of the day caught up to him. Without a word, he leaned into Eddie, resting his head on Eddie’s chest, seeking the quiet comfort he always found there. He let out a deep breath, his hand finding Eddie’s and intertwining their fingers.

Buck (murmuring, voice thick with emotion): "It went well. He was just… scared. Scared that something might happen between us. That I’d leave. I never realized he was carrying that fear around with him, Eddie."

Eddie’s hand gently stroked Buck’s hair, his heart aching at the thought of his son harboring such fears. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Buck’s head, his own chest tightening with the weight of Buck’s words. It was moments like these that reminded Eddie just how much Buck meant to both him and Christopher—how deeply their lives were intertwined.

Eddie (gently, his voice steady but filled with emotion): "He’s been through so much already. It’s natural for him to worry, especially after losing his Mom."

There was a pause as Eddie’s words hung in the air, the mention of Shannon always carrying a heavy weight. Buck lifted his head slightly, his gaze locking with Eddie’s. He saw the love and concern in Eddie’s eyes, the way his partner was so fiercely protective of his son’s happiness. Buck reached up, cupping Eddie’s cheek with his hand.

Buck (softly, voice filled with conviction): "I told him… I told him I’m not going anywhere, Eddie. I told him that I’ll always be there for him, no matter what. I love your son so much, Eddie. More than I ever thought I could love anyone."

Eddie’s heart swelled at Buck’s words, the sincerity and depth of his love for Christopher filling every space between them. He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, but he blinked them back, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the emotions in the room. He leaned down and kissed Buck’s forehead, his hand still gently stroking through Buck’s hair.

Eddie (soft but firm): "OUR son, Buck. He’s our son."

The words hit Buck like a wave, crashing over him in the best way. He looked up at Eddie, his eyes wide and filled with emotion. There was something so powerful in Eddie claiming that truth—acknowledging that Buck was not just a part of their lives, but that he was truly a father figure to Christopher. That they were a family, no questions asked.

Buck’s throat tightened, the weight of Eddie’s words sinking deep into his chest. Without thinking, he leaned in, capturing Eddie’s lips in a soft, tender kiss. It wasn’t hurried or desperate, but slow and filled with all the love, gratitude, and devotion Buck had been holding inside. When they finally pulled away, Buck rested his forehead against Eddie’s, his breath shaky, his heart full.

Buck (voice barely above a whisper): "I love you so much, Eddie. I can’t even put it into words. Being with you… with Christopher… it’s everything to me. I never thought I’d have this."

Eddie felt his own throat tighten at Buck’s confession. He could feel the raw emotion in Buck’s voice, the weight of his words pressing against his chest. For so long, Eddie had been afraid to open up, to let himself be vulnerable enough to love again. But with Buck, everything was different. He’d brought light back into Eddie’s life in ways Eddie hadn’t thought possible. And now, seeing how much Buck loved Christopher, how deeply he cared for their family, Eddie couldn’t imagine life without him.

Eddie shifted slightly, wrapping both arms around Buck and pulling him closer, his lips brushing against Buck’s ear as he spoke, his voice low and filled with emotion.

Eddie (softly, but with intensity): "I love you too, Buck. More than I ever thought I could love anyone again. You’ve given me and Christopher so much… you’ve given us a family. I don’t know how I ever got so lucky to have you in my life."

Buck closed his eyes at Eddie’s words, letting the love between them wash over him. He felt safe here, in Eddie’s arms, in this life they had built together. It was a kind of peace he hadn’t known before—a sense of belonging that ran deeper than anything he had ever felt.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, the world outside their bedroom fading away. Eddie’s hand traced lazy patterns on Buck’s back, and Buck’s head rested against Eddie’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was in moments like this that everything felt right—that all the hardships they had faced, all the pain and loss, had led them to this—to each other.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Buck spoke again, his voice softer now, but still filled with emotion.

Buck (quietly): "You know, when Chris said he was scared of losing me, it broke my heart. I don’t ever want him to feel like that again. I want him to always know that I’m here for him, that we’re in this together. The three of us."

Eddie nodded, his hand tightening slightly around Buck as he spoke.

Eddie (firmly): "He knows that now, Buck. You showed him tonight that he can trust you—that he can count on you. And he knows he has both of us, no matter what."

Buck nodded, letting Eddie’s words sink in. He knew Eddie was right. They were building something solid here, something that wouldn’t break under the weight of fear or uncertainty. And in that moment, Buck felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude—for Eddie, for Christopher, for the life they were creating together.

Eddie leaned down and kissed Buck’s forehead again, his lips lingering there for a moment before pulling back to meet Buck’s gaze.

Eddie (whispering): "We’re a family, Buck. And nothing’s ever going to change that."

Buck smiled, a tear slipping down his cheek as he nodded, his heart so full it almost hurt.

Buck (softly): "Yeah… we are. A family."

And with that, they settled into the comfort of each other, their bodies intertwined as they lay together in the quiet of their room. There was no rush, no urgency. Just love—steady, strong, and unbreakable. As they drifted off to sleep, Buck knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—stronger than ever.